Improvement in



'l 'UNITED STATES Frio ATENT ELIJAH JORDAN, OF VEST CUMMINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN INK-FOUNTAINS.

To all whom it may concer-71,:

Be it known that I, ELIJAH JORDAN, of lVest Cuinmington, of the county of I'Iampshire and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Mode of Constructing Ink Fountains or Reservoirs for Pens and Hair-Pencils; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and accurate description of my invention, reference being made to the annexed drawings, which form a parl of this specification, and of which- Figure l is a longitudinal view of the inkfountain connected with a steel pen. Fig. 2 is a View of the same connected with a tracingpen. Fig. 3 is a View of the same connected with a hair-pencil. Fig. 4 is a view of the upper part of the ink-fountain detached.

y Fig. 5 is a View of the top of the saine. Fig.

6 is a section of the lower part of the inkfountain connected with a steel pen. Fig. 7 is a section of the same connected with a tracing-pen. Fig. 8 is a section of the same connected witha hair-pencil. Fig. 9 is aview of a pin for the ink-fountain belonging to a steel pen. Fig. l0 is a view of a long stein or tubular handle to be attached to either pen or the hair-pencil. Fig. ll is a view of a short handle for the same purpose.

Similar letters refer to the same parts.

The nature of my invention consists in the combination of an ink fountain or reservoir with a steel-pen, a peculiar tracing-pen, and a hair-pencil, constructed in two parts or sections, one to iit on the other, and having in the lower part a suspended needle or pin to act as a guide or gate, the object of the inkfountain and the connected parts being to carrya large supply of ink or other markingfluid for writing continuouslyT a long time without replenishing the pen or dipping it into the ink in the ordinary way and to regulate the iiow just as it is required in writing or marking.

To enable others skilled in the art to understand and use my invention, I will now proceed todescribe its construction and operation.

The ink-fountain is made in two parts, the upper part A being a hollow cap or thimble of an inch or more in length, as shown detached in Fig. 4. In the top of the upper section is a small hole a, as shown in Fig. 5. The lower part B is a hollow case or tube, the top of which is similar in all respects to the top of the upper part of the fountain. The small hole (or holes) in the top of each part is made tapering from the out-side, as seen at h in Figs. 6, 7, and 8. The forni of the bottom of the lower part varies somewhat according to its several applications to the steel pen, the tracing-pen, and the hair-pencil, as shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8.

At the bottom of the fountain-that is, of the lower part-is also a small hole communicating with the inside, into which is inserted a pin or a tongue d, which runs up into the fountain, as shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8, and the arrangement of which varies a/little in its different applications. ,f l

In the tracing-pen, Fig. 7, and thehair-pencil, Fig. 8, the pin is straight and is pointed at one end like an ordinary toilet-pin. It is introduced into the fountain from above, and the point barely passes through and projects out of the hole at the bottom c, being prevented from going too far by its tapering forni, which lodges in the hole.

In the steel pen, Fig. 6,the pin or tongue d is bent or curved in adaptation to the curved form of the bottom of the fountain, which, like a hook-bill, turns toward the concave side of the pen. It has a button or head like a common pin e, Fig. 9, on the curved end instead of a point, as in the other applications; It is round inthe neck or curved part and fiat in the stem or body, as shown also in Fig. 9. This pin is introduced into the fountain from the bottom with thepoint upward.

Having described the construction of my ink-fountain, I will now explain the mode of using it. The ink or other marking-fluid is poured into the upper part A till it is nearly full. The upper part or cap is then put on the lower part or tube B. When the two sections of the ink-fountain are thus prepared and adjusted, the ink or oth er fluid will pass down through the orifice from the upper part of the fountain into the lower part, from whence it will issue through the hole at the bottom c, being guided in its-passage and the flow regulated by the tongue or pin cl when the act of writing, tracing, or marking is performed. By the peculiar form and arrangement of the curved pin in the steel pin, Figs. l and 6, the ink flows through the orifice to the pen, while the pen is used in writing by the spring of the pen touching or acting on the pin or tongue, thus opening the oriiice of the ink-fountain so far as t0 allow the ink to ooze out of it.

In the tracing-penJTigs. 2 and 7, the tapering point of the pin rises when the pen is used or drawn on the paper, and thus allows the ink to l'loW outof the fountain. lVhen the pen is not in use, the pin closes up the orifice of the ink-fountain and prevents the ink from flowing out.

In the hair-pencil, Figs. 3 and 8, the tapering point of the pin regulates the flow of the ink by the brush of the pencil while in use gently pressing the vpin into the fountain, thereby causing vor allowingr the ink to ooze out to supply the brush.

Figs. l0 and 1l represent long and short handles, which are tubes which may be slipped or screwed oit or on the ink-fountain at pleasure.

The orice a in the upper part of the fountain A, Fig. 4, is designed to admit air into it, for Without the atmospheric pressure thus obessa tained the ink would soon cease to ow from the fountain when the pen is used.

The pin or tongue d has the compound effeet of guiding the ink to the issue at the bottom of the fountain, of equalizing and regulating the capillary attraction, and of closing the orilice andleiectually cutting` off the flow of the ink When the pen or pencil is not in use.

Having thus described my invention, What lelaim as nay-invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- The inode t supplying the pen or markinginstrument with ink by the pen or markinginstruinent acting upon the valve or stopper of the ink-fountain to allow the ink to ooze out of the saine when in the act of Writing or marking, in the manner substantially as herein described.

ELIJAH JORDAN. W'itnesses:

ELrsHA MITCHELL, C. W. MITCHELL, 

